Unique Japanese Experiences You Can Have in Tokyo

2016.03.24

Writer name : tutorial

Why not create wonderful memories of your trip by experiencing Japanese culture in a way that you can only do in Japan? Those memories will last with you your entire life. Here are some recommended experiences you can have in Tokyo.

1. It looks completely real! Create a Japanese food sample to take home with you!

Food samples are made to look exactly like the real thing and are often seen at Japanese restaurants. You can make your own at Sample Fan Fun Fan. You can make various kinds of samples including cute and colorful parfaits, keychains that look like tarts, or the representative of all food samples, tempura. The price changes depending on type of sample made, but it starts at 1,080 JPY (tax incl.) per person. There are some creations ready that only take 10 - 20 minutes, so please join in if you have some time. You can make reservations up to 2 months in advance, so people who know what day they have free, please make your reservations early.

2. Walk around Asakusa dressed in kimono

The kimono is one of Japan's traditional clothing. Kimono are very expensive and hard to wear, so there are many people that want to wear one but can't find the opportunity. Kokomo, a photography studio in the famous sightseeing area Asakusa, offers the opportunity to dress up as a maiko (apprentice geisha) or samurai. You can also rent the clothes and take a walk around town still dressed up, so it's a perfect chance to experience what it may have felt like in traditional Japan. Dressing in traditional clothing and walking around an area with so much history - it will definitely become a wonderful memory of your trip. The kimono rental begins at 3,800 JPY (excl. tax), but if you make reservations in advance you might get some sort of discount, so please check when planning your trip.

3. Anyone can transform into a Japanese anime character! Experience cosplay

Japanese anime and video games have become internationally popular. There are many, many people that visit anime-related shops in Akihabara and Nakano, but if you're in Japan, why not dress up as an anime character and take some commemorative photos? Usually, when one cosplays, you prepare the outfit and accessories yourself, but Akihabara's Studio Crown has many costumes of popular characters prepared down to the smallest details. For people who are too embarrassed to go out in cosplay, you can take photos in the studio without anyone else seeing you, so you can still create great memories dressed up as your favorite character. You choose your favorite outfit out of the ones available, and the staff will help you with your makeup and hair. You can have this wonderful experience for 12,000 JPY (excl. tax).

4. You too can become a samurai! Learn the manners and swordsmanship of bushido

There are many fans of Japanese samurai abroad, but the tour company True Japan Tours uses their own studio to offer a samurai class. The class is 90 minutes long, and you wear samurai clothing and learn how to use swords from a real bushido master. You also learn the samurai way of thinking and their spiritual philosophy. At the end of the class you get to take a photo. Since you've come all the way to japan, why not completely become a samurai?Fees: 1 person 20,000 JPY (excl. tax), and each additional person is 12,000 JPY (excl. tax) each.

4. You too can become a samurai! Learn the manners and swordsmanship of bushido

5. Hold a brush and write your favorite phrase in kanji

Shodo is Japanese calligraphy, and in a shodo classroom you can learn how to use Japan's traditional brushes and tools to practice your Japanese handwriting. True Japan Tours also has a shodo classroom. You can rent the necessary tools from them so there's no worry about having to buy the right things. After you practice by following the teacher's example, you can create your own calligraphy piece by writing the word or phrase you want to write! You can write something in simple Japanese, you can write the name of a place where you made memories on your trip, or you can even have your name be transcribed into kanji and you can write that. Shodo isn't just about writing words; shodo is a way to control and relax your mind, much like meditation. Please experience the depth inherent in shodo.Fees: 1 person 10,000 JPY (excl. tax), and each additional person is an additional 4,000 JPY (excl.tax)